Things may be reverted back to normal in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, as this one was supposed to be a gimme for the Big Ten. Minnesota came in undefeated and ranked No. 15, having already beaten North Carolina and West Virginia. Plus, the game was played in the comfort of their home, The Barn. The opponent was one of the lower-tier ACC teams.
Instead, Tony Bennett's Virginia team came in and took it to the Golden Gophers on the strength of incredible 3-point shooting and complete domination in the second half, winning 87-79.
The Cavaliers (4-3) were 10-14 from 3-point range, getting big efforts from guards Joe Harris (24 points, 4-6 from 3) and Mustapha Farrakhan (23 points, 4-of-5 from 3). Senior forward Mike Scott went at it alone in the paint for the smallish Hoos, and was up to the task, pouring in 17 points and adding 12 rebounds against a tough Minnesota interior.
The Gophers' inexplicably allowed open outside shots on most second-half possessions and were continually made to pay for it. Missing point guard Al Nolen, they just couldn't keep up with the second-half scoring pace. Virginia scored 58 points in that second half, after facing a 10-point deficit at halftime. Virginia actually outrebounded Minnesota, despite facing players like Ralph Sampson III, Colton Iverson and Trevor Mbakwe. The Cavaliers also iced the game at the free-throw line, hitting 25 of their 30 attempts, most when the Gophers were desperately trying to come back in the last few minutes of the game.
Virginia did what it had to do to win a game like this, the Cavaliers played a nearly flawless second half. They'll travel to Virginia Tech to open ACC play Sunday.
Minnesota (6-1) will look to pick up the pieces at home against Cornell Saturday.
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